DHL, Argos Direct and Unite the Union

Bedford College is one of the training providers working in partnership with Argos Direct (part of Home Retail Group), DHL and Unite the Union in the Learning Centre at Marsh Leys, Bedford.

Doug Griffiths, Learning Centre Co-ordinator, explains what the Learning Centre means to employees:

“The Learning Centre opened in 2008 and we were fortunate to receive some funding from the Learning Skills Council (LSC) to support this. The centre offers real opportunities for employees to upskill.  It is a unique learning experience and definitely nothing like being back at school! The training on offer is about everyday skills.  With over 170 passes the Learning Centre is already a success for those who have studied here and the doors are open for others to come and find out how they can improve their knowledge and skills.”

“The Union has always been keen to promote Life Long Learning Skills and this venture between Argos, DHL and Unite has really proved to be a successful and worthwhile venture for all those who have been involved.

“A rolling programme of courses are on offer throughout the year.  Argos, DHL and Unite, encourage employees to continue learning and share the benefits of a well trained workforce.

“Our banks of computers provide an excellent learning resource and that combined with the expertise of Bedford College tutors is a strong learning package.  Open 24/7 to fit in with shift patterns, the Learning Centre also includes a library where colleagues can borrow books.  

“Anyone who wants to find out more should pop into the Learning Centre for an informal chat and find out exactly what is on offer for them.”

Susie Williams, Regional HR Manager DHL, answered questions about the team’s relationship with Bedford College and training opportunities for employees:

1. What is the relationship between DHL, Argos and Bedford College?

The Marsh Leys site is part of a national network, providing warehousing and home delivery services for Argos Direct. The site is owned by Argos who provide the facilities that the Learning Centre utilise.

Bedford College delivers courses in our Learning Centre, where employees can access programmes including Literacy, Numeracy, IT and NVQs.

The Learning Centre is managed through a partnership approach, with Unite the Union, Bedford College and the Argos and DHL businesses working together to achieve common goals.

2. How many people work at the Argos site in Bedford?

We employ up around 450 people in a variety of roles, including transport, warehouse and support functions.

3. Why did you choose Bedford College as your training provider?

Bedford College is flexible in delivering quality training, set up to fit in with shift systems around the clock.

4. What is your experience in working with Bedford College?

Communication is good between Bedford College and Doug Griffiths, Learning Centre Co-ordinator, and they demonstrate a genuine desire to work with us to deliver what we need.

We have regular meetings of the “Learning Centre Committee” that includes the business, union and providers.  Bedford College contributes to that as well as delivering courses.  They have supported open day activities to help us generate more interest and also keep us updated on the funding landscape.

5. What training is delivered by Bedford College?

Numeracy and Literacy
ESOL
NVQ (warehousing)
ITQ

6. What is the value of that training to the business?

There is value in the Learning Centre as a facility to help us upskill our employees and make them more confident and effective in their roles.

It is good to see someone taking the opportunities that the company and the union are providing and making good use of it, to the benefit of their work and personal lives. We’ve had feedback from colleagues with young children that they’ve found it’s meant they can help with homework.

Having the Learning Centre on site is a great benefit and it provides people with the opportunity to study and manage their time well.

Even if colleagues are not on a formal course at the Learning Centre they can talk to Learning Reps to discover what is on offer and match it to their needs.

7. How does your business benefit from this training?

A well trained workforce is invaluable to the business and it’s great when employees recognise that both Argos and DHL want to support their development and are willing to invest in them.

8. What has been the impact on your staff?

Argos and DHL encourage employees to take advantage of the learning and development on offer at the Learning Centre.  Staff who have undertaken training now have improved skills for work and life.  They can add the new qualifications to their CVs and reap the broader benefits that training and additional qualifications offer.

9. What has been the impact on the organisation’s performance?

DHL prides itself on delivering improved performance and service to our customer, year on year.  To achieve that aim we need a well trained and motivated workforce.

It is important for our employees to recognise the training opportunities on offer and the employee opinion survey (2010) shows a 10% improvement in favourable responses around learning and development opportunities for people at work.

10. How do you see the Learning Centre in the future?

It would be great it everyone working here accessed the learning and development opportunities offered and for that to be embedded in the workplace and people’s everyday lives.

The Learning Centre does not stand still – there are plans to continually improve the training on offer and match that to the needs of all employees.  The aim is to reach out to all employees so they are aware of this.

The positive relationship between the company, union and college as provider is key to the success of the Learning Centre.

Some employees talked about their experience of the Learning Centre and what it has meant to them:

John Stefanelli (Team Leader)

I hadn’t studied Maths and English since leaving school and so decided to brush up on those skills.   The Learning Centre has given me the opportunity to improve my knowledge and skills and gain qualifications.  I now have a stronger CV and have been promoted to Team Leader. 

The skills I have learnt are really useful in everyday life as well as work.  I would tell others working at DHL to come and find out for themselves what the Learning Centre has to offer.  It can make a real difference to your life.

Matthew Holyoak, Shop Steward and Warehouse Colleague

The courses are really interesting and the new skills I’ve learnt are useful in my personal life as well as work.  I want to continue learning and plan to study Book-keeping at Bedford College.  I definitely want to do more and the Learning Centre has given me the confidence to continue learning.

DHL support people who want to learn by being flexible with work time and the fact there is no traveling when studying in the Learning Centre is a big advantage.

I would recommend the Learning Centre to colleagues.  It is good to learn something that can help you in the future.

Miezko Wieloszynski, Warehouse Colleague

Studying with the Learning Centre has helped me improve my English.  It is difficult to attend College courses because of the shift patterns but the Learning Centre is on site and open round the clock and that is a huge benefit. 

It is important to be able to prove to employers that I can speak fluent English and the Literacy qualification is proof of that.

Any colleagues who are not confident in literacy or numeracy should come along to the Learning Centre and see what they can do.  I have gained a lot from my learning experience here.